Apparatus for curing and molding synthetic resins



Jan. 14,1941. D soul-BER ETAL 2,228,614

APPARATUS FOR CURING AND MOLDING SYNTHETIC RESINS Filed April 16, 1 938 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q s s 3 S g 23 i i N H O Q $25.9 Q D O O w m 3 23 *1 H 1 N N D INVENTORS L..D. Joubz'gr; JIFLHqy'e,

4, D. SOUBIER arm. 8,

APPARATUS FOR CURING AND MOLDING SYNTHETIC RESINS Filed April 16, 1938' 1 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS 11.17. Soul: ie v H JIRJ'Jye.

Jan. 14, 1941- L. D.-$OUB|ER EI'AL APPARATUS FOR CURING AND MOLDING SYNTHETIC RESINS 6 Shedts-Sheet 3 Filed 'April 16, 1938 IN V EN TORJ llllilllillli' oubier,

JRH

By 0 6, M 414%? Jan. 14, 1941.

I Y m L. D. SOUBIER El'AL APPARAiUS FOR CURING AND MOLDING SYNTHETIC RESINS Filed April 16, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS L-D Joubier; J R .Hoye

M 7ATT EYS.

n-14,19 1 L. D. SQUBIER Em 2,228;61

APPARATUS FOR CURING AND MOLDING SYNTHETIC RESINS I Filed April 16, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 5y v M ,ATTO%EYS.

-14,1941- -D.souB|ER Em 2,228 61 APPARATUS FOR CURING AND MOLDING SYNTHETIC RESINS MmmmmmM INV EN TORS L.l7.$oubzer.

.Hoye

BK M? AT NEYS.

Patented Jan. 14, 1941 PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR CURING AND MOLDING SYNTHETIC RESIN S Leonard D Soubier and John R. Hoge, Toledo,

Ohio, assignors to Owens-Illinois Glass Company, a corporation of Ohio Application April 16, 1938, Serial No. 202,524

5 Claims. (01. 1821) The present invention relates to an apparatus for curing and molding synthetic or natural resins and other types of thermosetting organic plastic materials capable of being moldedfland cured by the combined action of heat and pressure, these products being utilized in the form of compressed masses commonly referred to as tablets, pellets or preforms.

Briefly, the invention is illustrated in connection with a machine for forming threaded bottle caps and contemplates the provision of a molding apparatus including a. series .of stationary mold heads contiguously arranged in straight line formation. Each mold head includes a rotor having disposed thereon a. series of radially extending forming mandrels and capable of being indexed in order to periodically shift the respective positions of the mandrels and. move the same successively through a charging zone where a'tablet of the moldable material is placed thereon, a heating zone where the tablets on the mandrels are preheated, a forming zone where a mold having an open mold cavity is brought into forming engagement with the mandrels, and a discharging zone where the formed caps are unscrewed from the mandrels and are discharged from the machine. The charging, preheating, forming and discharging operations are carried out simultaneously in each head on different tablets, and the tablets introduced into each head are each progressively acted upon by the heating, forming and discharging instrumentalities. Furthermore, the charging, preheating, forming and discharging operations in all of the heads are carried out in unison. Thus, during each complete cycle of machine operation the number of formed caps discharged from the machine is a multiple of the number of mold heads provided in the-machine which is in direct proportion to the number of mandrels provided on each rotor.

The objects of the invention are manifold. Among the principal objects thereof is the provision of a molding apparatus of the type set forth above, in which the mechanical motions and functions performed by the mandrel-charging, mandrel indexing, charge preheating, charge-forming and cap-discharging instrumentalitie's are repeated during each quarter-cycle of machine operation, yet in which these motions and functions are performed on difierent mandrels and charges thereon, thus resulting in'an apparatus in which the various stages of machine operation overlap each other in such a manner that during each quarter-cycle of machine operation, completed articles are discharged from each machine unit or head. Themachine is capable of modification and by the simple expedient of increasing the number of mandrels contained in each head, completed articles may be discharged from each mold head during each one sixth, one-eighth or an even smaller fraction of each machine cycle.

The apparatus by means of which the above mentioned object. may be accomplished is distinguished from the general type of stationary or rotary molding machine wherein the various stages of machine operation follow in sequence and wherein the instrumentalities by means of which each stage is brought about discharge their functions but once during each complete cycle of machine operation. Such machines may well be termed single phase machines in that only once during a complete machine cycle do the various operating instrumentalities enter upon their particular phase of activity. The present machine -1- may well be termed a four-phase, a six-phase, or an eight-phase machine, as the-case may be, inasmuch as four, six or eight times during each machine cycle, the various operating instrumentalities may become operative.

In carrying out the above mentioned object, the

duced by three-quarters and, if the number of mandrels is increased, an even greater reduction in floor space may be effected.

Simplicity of construction, "ruggedness and durability, and the provision of'a machine which is comprised of a minimum number of moving parts are further, desiderata that have been borne in mind in the production and development of the present invention.

In the accompanying drawingsone embodiment of the invention is shown. In these drawings:

' Fig. 1' is a fragmentary side elevational View of a molding'apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, certainparts thereof being shown in section;

Fig. .2 is a fragmentary top plan viewthereof;

.Fig. 3 isan end view of the apparatus;

Fig. 4 is .a vertical transverse sectional view taken through one .of the mold-heads associated with the apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken -.substantially along the line 5-5 .of.Fig. 4;

' casting 10.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6--6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 1'| of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view taken through a control valve and its associated instrumentalities employed in connection with the present invention;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken substantiallyv along the line |0l0 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line Hll of Fig. 10; and

- Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line l2l2 of Fig. 2.

The apparatus involves in its general organization a one-piece elongated main ormold head casting l0 (Figs. 2, 4 and 8) which is supported at spaced regions therealong by means of inte gral webs H and supporting leg structures 12. The castinglll is divided into a number of mold heads l4 (see also Fig. 1) which are arranged in straight line formation and the interiors of which are inter-communicating.

The individual mold heads l4 are identical in construction and therefore a detailed description of one of these heads will suflice for the remainder thereof.- Each head [4 includes a plate [5 having marginal strengthening ribs l6 and a medialcurved portion H which cooperates with a portion of a curved upstanding wall l8 (Fig. 4) formed on-the head casting ill to define therebetween a cylindrical chamber [9 in which a-portion of the operative molding instrumentalities are'housed. The various chambers communicate with each other in alignment. Upper and lower pairs of cap screws 20 and 21 respectively serve to clamp'the plate I5 in position on the head Every third (this figure is purely arbitrary) mold head I4 is disposed directly above one-of the supporting leg structures l2 and has formed thereon an integral extension 22 of the ribs l5 which extends downwardly (Fig.4) and is bolted to a shelf 23v formed on the supporting leg structure.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 8, a series of mandrel-supporting rotors are disposed within the respective chambers [9 of the heads l4 and each rotor is formed with a plurality of sector shaped pockets 3|. therein, representing ninety degree sectors, which cooperate with and are closed by the inner wall of the chamber [9. The rotors 30 are adapted to be periodically indexed in' unison or moved'through an angle of ninety degrees, thus causing the pockets 3| to be moved with the rotors about the axis of the latter. In so moving, these" pockets successively occupy positions at a charging zone C, a heating zone H, a forming zone 1 F, and a discharging zone D in amanner and f0 a purpose that will appear presently.

' Disposed on each rotor 30 in the respective pockets 3| and extending radially from the axis of the rotor are a series of forming mandrels 33 upon which the articles to be molded, which in the present instance are bottle caps, are formed, The mandrels 33 are provided with threaded shanks 34 by means of which'they are removably secured to the rotor 30. Threads conforming in size and pitch to the size and pitch ofthe threads to be formed on the bottle caps are provided on the mandrels 33.

The head casting III in the vicinity of each head I4 is formed with a relatively large cylindrical boss 40 (Figs. 1, 4 and 8) on the underneath side tion has taken place. 'feedopening 59 (Fig. 4) communicates with a horizontally extending channel 6| which extends thereof providing a vertical bore 4| which communicates with a recess 42 that in turn communicates with the chamber IS. A curing mold 43 is disposed within each recess 42 and is normally supported on the bottom thereof. The curing mold 43 is in the form of a cylindrical member having an upwardly presented mold cavity 44 and a downwardly presented tapered recess 45 formed therein. A heating element 36' is disposed in the recess 42 and surrounds the mold 43 and supplies heat thereto by direct radiation.

.The mandrel-supporting rotors 30 are keyed together as at 46 (Fig. 8) and are adapted to periodically be indexed or rotated in unison throughout an angle of ninety degrees to successively move the mandrels 33 of each rotor 5 through the charging, heating, forming and discharging zones C, H, F and D respectively. Toward this end, one end of a horizontal shaft 41 is keyedas at 48 to the last rotor 30 of the series of interconnected rotors at. one end of the machine. The shaft 41 is provided at its other end with a bevel gear 49 (Figs. 1 and 3) which meshes with a mutilated. bevel gear 50 carried at one end of a horizontal shaft'5l. A bevel gear 52 mounted on the other. end of the shaft 5| meshes with a bevel gear 53 mounted on the upper end of a vertical shaft 54 which carries at its lower end a bevel gear 55, the latter meshing with a bevel gear 56 mounted on a drive shaft 51. The drive shaft 5].is suitably connected to a variable speed transmission device (not shown). The mutilated gear Silisdevoid of teeth in a two hundred seventy degree sector and the number of teeth provided in the remaining ninety degree sector there of is precisely equal to one-quarter of the number of teeth provided on the gear 49. Consequently, uniform rotation of the drive shaft 51 causes intermittent or periodic rotation of the shaft 41 and the series of interconnected rotors 30 connected thereto throughout an angle of ninety degrees at each indexing movement thereof. Thus, the corresponding mandrels 33 of each rotor are periodically and successively brought into forming alignment with-the molds of their respective molding; heads l4 in unison. The system or train of gearing just described, including the various shafts and bevel gears, are operatively mounted in and-supported by a bracket 58 which forms a stationary part of the machine framework.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 4, the tabletsT or preforms of compressed moldable material are adaptedto be successively introduced into the chamber IQ of each head l4 through a feed openthey are received until the mandrels have moved onto the forming zone F and the forming opera- Toward these ends, the

through the head casting [0. The channel 6| communicates with a vertical chute 62 through which the tablets T move in passing to the chamber IS.

The upper ends of the chutes are disposed just below the level of a series of horizontally disposed slideways 63 or guides (Fig. 2) which overlie the various mold heads I4 and have a common communication with a manifold slideway 64 or guide disposed at right angles thereto. The manifold slideway 64 is adapted to be periodically supplied with tablets T from one end thereof by a suitable tablet feeding mechanism (not shown) and the length of the slideway 94 and the distances between the adjacent slideways B3 are direct multiples of the diameters of the tablets and are so calculated that when the manifold slideway 64 is filled, a tablet T is in alignment with each of the slideways 63. A section of the outer wall of the slideway 54 in alignment with each slideway 63 is cut away and a series of tablet feeding rams I0 are adapted to project through the voids thus created to periodically and simultaneously move the tablets fed to the manifold slideway 64 into the various slideways 53 and advance the same toward the respective chutes I32 for introduction into the chambers I9.

Accordingly, each ram H1 is operatively associated with a vacuum operated cylinder H (Fig. 12) having a spring-pressed piston I2 therein to which the ram is connected. Each cylinder II is connected through a supporting pipe I3 with a manifold I4 which communicates with a conduit I5 (Fig. 1) which in turn communicates through a control valve 59 with a source of vacuum. I

Referring now to- Figs. 2, 10 and 11, the control valve 69 just referred to comprises a cylindrical casing TI havinga pair of opposed ports I8 and I9 eccentrioally disposed therein. The port I8 is connected by means of a conduit with the source of vacuum while the port I9 is connected to the conduit I5. A rotor 8! which is keyed to a central shaft 82 is provided with an eccentrically disposed passage 83 therein which, upon rotation of the rotor, periodically comes into register with the ports I8 and 19 to cause periodic impulses of vacuum to be transmitted through the valve 69 to the various cylinders II simultaneously. The passage 83 communicates with a radial passage .88 which extends to the periphery of the rotor 8| and is adapted to register with a port 89, formed in the casing I1, in passing, thus periodically bleeding the cylinder H to the atmosphere.

The shaft 82 (Fig. 2) is provided with a gear 84 which meshes with a gear 85 mounted medially on a shaft 85 (Fig. 3) journaled in the bracket 58. driving shaft 51 through the gear 55 by means of a bevel gear 87 mounted on the shaft 86 and meshing with the gear 55.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the tablets T fed to the upper end of each chute 62 in the manner just described enter the channel 5| and are :successively propelled inwardly of the head to the charging opening 59 by means of areciprocating charging member 99 which is slidably disposed within the channel. The charging member 99 is connected by means of a link 9i to the lower end of an actuating arm 92, the upper end of which is pivoted to a bracket 93 secured to the chute 62. The arm 92 carries a cam roller 94 medially thereof which is adapted to be engaged by a pear-shaped cam member 95 mounted on an elongated horizontally disposed shaft 96 (see also Fig. l) which is rotatably journaled in sup,- porting brackets 91 secured to the head casting I9.

One end of the shaft 96 carries a, .bevel gear The shaft 85 is driven from the- 98 which meshes with a bevel gear 99 mounted on the upper end of a vertical shaft I99 (Fig. 3), the latter being journaled in the bracket 58. The lower end of the shaft I carries a bevel gear IOI which meshes with a bevel gear I92 mounted on an end of the shaft 89. Thus it will be seen that the shaft 96 is indirectly driven from the driving shaft 51 through a gear train, the various elements of which have previously been set forth. Upon engagement of the cam rollers 94 (Fig. 4) by the cams 95, the actuating members 92 are simultaneously drawn outwardly from the heads I4. Coil springs I93 serve to draw the members 92 inwardly of the head and move the charging member 99 in the channel 6| toward the charging opening 59. The chargingmember 99 is provided with a cavity I94 near the forward end thereof which, upon reciprocation of the member 99, is adapted to be moved from a position of register with the chute 62 to a position of register with the charging opening 59 and vice versa. Thus, each time the cavity I94 comes into register with the chute 62, a tablet T is deposited therein and, when the cavity I04 comes into register with the charging opening 59, the tablet T drops by gravity onto the mandrel 33 positioned in the chamber I9 at the charging zone C.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the tablet T deposited on the mandrel 33 at. the charging zone C is adapted to be retained thereon by the application of vacuum to the mandrel from the moment the tablet is receive d until after the tablet has been formed into the completed article at the forming zone F. Accordingly, each mandrel 33 is provided with a narrow borev H9 (see also Fig. 8) which extends completely therethrough and which communicates with a vacuum passage III provided in the rotor 39. The various vacuum passages III terminate. at the periphery of the rotor and are adapted to successively register with an arcuate-vacuum groove H2 which extends partially around the imier surface of the chamber I9 from a point which is accessible to the passage III when the corresponding mandrel 33 is in the charging position to a point in the region between the forming zone F and the discharging zone D. The vacuum groove I I2 communicates with a vacuum passage H3 which extends through the plate I5 and which is connected by means of a vacuum conduit IM (Fig. 1) to the source of vacuum. 1

The wall of each chamber I9 in the vicinity of the heating zone H is recessed as at H5 and an electric heating element H9 is nested within 5 the recess. Heat generated by the heating ele ment H6 is confined within the successive pockets 3| and is assimilated by the tablets T at the heatingzone, thus preheating the same prior to the forming operation which takes place shortlythereafter at the forming zone F.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 6, the molds 43 which are seated on the bottom of the recesses 42' in the forming zone F of each mold head l4 are. adapted'to be simultaneously elevated into forming engagement with the various mandrels 33 which are successively brought into alignment therewith. Accordingly; a series of pressure applying rams IZI are slidably disposed within the respective bores 4I provided in the bosses 49. The upper end of each ram I2I is tapered as at I22 and this tapered portion projects upwardly above the bottom of the recess 42 and is complemental to the tapered recess 45 provided in each mold 43. Thus when a mold is seated in the recess 42 at the forming zone, accurate registry with the forming mandrel 33 thereabove is assured.

In order to raise and lower the molds, each ram I2I is connected at its lower end to a piston rod I23, the piston I24 of which is slidably mounted within a cylinder I25 which is disposed directly beneath the boss 40 provided on the mold head casting I0. A spring I26 mounted in the cylinder I25 causes downward movement of the piston after it has completed its pressure stroke during the forming operation.

The cylinders I25 are adapted to be actuated in unison to raise the various molds 43 into forming engagement with the mandrels 33 and the control instrumentalities for effecting such actuation appear in Fig. 9. No claim is made in this application to these control instrumentalities as they are fully illustrated, described and claimed in our copending application, Serial Number 66,674, filed March 2, 1936, for Method of and apparatus for curing and molding synthetic or natural resins, and reference may be had thereto for a full disclosure thereof. Briefly, however, these control instrumentalities comprise a control valve I30 (Fig. 9) by means of which hydraulic pressure is alternately applied to the opposite ends of the cylinder, together with a control mechanism I 3| consisting of a series of cam controlled instrumentalities for mechanically actuating the valve I30. The control mechanism I3I is driven from a bevel gear I32 mounted on one end of a shaft I33 journaled in the bracket .58. The other end of the shaft I33 carries a bevel gear I34 which derives its motion from the bevel gear I0 I.

Referring now to Figs. 4, 5, 6 and'1, the ejecting mechanisms by means of which the formed caps are removed from the mandrels 33 of the respective heads I4 each comprises a cap-spinning chuck I40 including a face plate I4I which is secured to one end of a sleeve I42, the latter being provided with a resilient face pad I43. The sleeve I42 is rotatably disposed upon a non-rotatable hollow shaft I44 and is provided with an enlarged portion I45 in which is disposed an enlargement I46 formed on the shaft I44. vThe sleeve I42 is rotatably journaled in bearings I41 and I48 provided in the furcations of an adjustable bifurcated bracket I49 secured to the head casting I0. The shaft I44 is provided with right and left hand threads which are alternately engageable with a pulley I50 which is mounted on the shaft and which is uniformly driven in one direction by means of a cord I5I passing thereover. The sleeve I42 has formed thereon a pair of elongated splines I52 which pass through slots I53 (Fig. '7) formed at diametrically opposed points in the pulley I50 and which are slidable therein. The sleeve I 42 is therefore rotatable with the pulley I50 and is capable of axial sliding movement with respect thereto. The outer end of the shaft I44 is securedin a vacuum chest I54 and the shaft is prevented from rotating by means of a slide member I55 which reciprocates in a slideway I56 carried by a bracket I51 secured to a discharge trough-I58 which in turn is secured to the head casting I0. The shaft I44 and chuck I40 thereon are in alignment with an opening I59 formed in the wall of the head casting I0 at the discharging zone D. Thus it will be seen that upon rotation of the pulley I50 in one direction, the non-rotatable shaft I44 reciprocates axially andthe chuck is periodically projected through the opening I59 and engages the formed caps on the mandrels 33.

In order to remove the caps from the mandrels 33, means is provided for applying a vacuum to the chuck I40 when the latter comes into engagement with each cap. Toward this end the shaft I33 has mounted thereon a gear I60 which meshes with a gear I6I carried by a shaft I62' journaled in the bracket 58. The cord I5I which drives the pulley I50 passes over a driving pulley I63 mounted on the shaft I 62 and also passes over a pair of idler pulleys I64 and I65.

A cam member I66 is mounted on the shaft I62 and is provided with a cam groove I61 near the periphery thereof. A valve cylinder I68 having ports I69 and I10 has a slide valve I1I slidably disposed thereon and arranged to periodically establish communication between the ports I69 and I10 and also to bleed the port I10 periodically to the atmosphere. A valve stem I12 connected to the valve I1I projects from the cylinder I68 and carries at the free end thereof a finger I13 which extends into the cam groove I61. The port I69 is connected through a conduit I14 to the source of vacuum while the port I10 is connected through a short conduit section I15 to a manifold conduit I16 which is connected by means of a series of flexible conduits I11 to the various vacuum chests I54. Thus it will be seen that upon rotation of the cam member I66, vacuum is periodically applied to all of the vacuum chests I54 in unison each time the slide valve I1 I establishes communication between the ports I69 and I10.

The cam controlled mechanism just described is so designed that vacuum is applied to the chuck I40 when the latter engages the cap which has been formed on the mandrel 33 at the discharging zone D. The threads provided on the shaft I44 are of the same pitch as the threads formed on the mandrels 33 and thus the shaft I44 is withdrawn from the opening I59 in the manner previously described, and the caps are unscrewed from the mandrels on which they have been formed.

The vacuum supplied to the chuck I40 is discontinued after the caps have been withdrawn from the opening I 59 and. thus the caps fall into the discharge trough I58 and are conveyed therealong to a point of discharge by means of a trough conveyor I80. I

In order to dislodge any particles of moldable material that may adhere to the mandrels 33 after the molded caps have been removed therefrom, blasts of air may be directed against the opposite sides thereof through air passages I8I which are formed in the wall I8 of each mold head I4.

Modifications may be resorted to within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In an apparatus for molding articles from compressed charges of synthetic resinous materials and like organic plastic materials by the application of heat and pressure, a rotor mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis; said rotor including an annular series of radial walls separating its periphery into outwardly opening chambers, a man'drel positioned in each chamber and having its axis disposed radially of the rotor, a housing enclosing the rotor and mandrels and including a continuous curved Wall which is constantly in contact with the outer ends of the walls of the rotor, said housing having charging and discharging openings for mold charges and finished articles respectively, a mold common to the mandrels, means for moving the rotor intermittently to thereby bring the mandrels one at a time into register with the mold, means for effecting relative movement between the mold and mandrels to thereby finally shape the article and means for preheating the mold charges during movement thereof from the charging opening to the mold and for heating said mold.

2. In an apparatus for molding articles from compressed charges of synthetic resinous materials and like organic plastic materials by the application of heat and pressure, a rotor mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, said rotor including an annular series of radial walls separating its periphery into outwardly opening chambers, a mandrel positioned in each chamber and having its axis disposed'radially of the rotor, a housing enclosing the rotor and mandrels and including a continuous curved wall which is constantly in contact with the outer ends of the Walls of the rotor, said housing having charging and discharging openings for mold charges and finished articles respectively, a mold common to the mandrels, means for moving the rotor intermittently to thereby bring the mandrels one at a time into register with the mold, means for effecting relative movement between the mold and mandrels to thereby finally shape the article, means for preheating the mold charges during movement thereof from the charging opening to the mold and for heating said mold, and a takeout device movable into the discharging opening at regular time intervals for removing finished articles from the mandrels.

3. In an apparatus for molding articles from compressed charges of synthetic resinous materials and like organic plastic materials by the application of heat and pressure, a rotor mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, said rotor including an annular series of radial Walls separating its periphery into outwardly opening chambers, a mandrel positioned in each chamber and having its axis disposed radially of the rotor, a housing enclosing the rotor and mandrels and including a continuous curved wall which is constantly in contact with the .outer ends of the walls of the rotor, said housing having charging and discharging openings for mold charges and finished articles respectively, a mold common to the mandrels, means for moving the rotor intermittently to thereby bring the mandrels one at a time into register with the mold, means for effecting relative movement between the mold and mandrels to thereby finally shape the article and means for preheating the mold charges during movement thereof from the charging opening to the mold and for heating said mold, said heating means including a heating element positioned in the inner wall of the housing between the charging opening and said mold and a heating element encircling the mold.

4. Apparatus of the character described comprising a horizontally disposed cylindrical hous ing having a charging opening in its upper side, an article discharging opening spaced approximately from the charging opening and a mold receiving opening below and in register with said charging opening, a heating element in the inner wall of the housing directly opposite the article discharging opening, an annular series of mandrels mounted for rotation within said housing, means for imparting intermittent rotary movement to said mandrels to thereby bring them one at a time to a standstill in register with the charging opening, heating element, mold and article discharging opening successively in the order named, a mold common to said mandrels movable through said mold receiving opening for cooperation with the mandrels and means for moving said mold.

5. Apparatus of the character described comprising a horizontally disposed cylindrical housing having a charging opening in its upper side, an article discharging opening spaced approximately 90 from the charging opening and a mold receiving opening below and in register with said charging opening, a heating element in the inner wall of the housing directly opposite the article discharging opening, an annular series of mandrels mounted for rotation within said housing, means for imparting intermittent rotary movement to said mandrels to thereby bring them one at a time to a standstill in register with the charging opening, heating element, mold and article discharging opening successively in the order named, a mold common to said mandrels movable through said mold receiving opening for cooperation with the mandrels, means for moving said mold, and take-out mechanism movable into saidarticle discharging opening at regular time intervals for detaching finished articles from the mandrels and moving them to the exterior of said housing.

LEONARD D. SOUBIER. JOHN R. HOGE. 

